Chapter 300: Divine Land (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 300: Divine Land (3)
It had been about two weeks since Alon left Greinif.
"Marquis."
"What is it?"
"Are you planning on resting for a while this time?"
They were on the road back to the marquisate.
Alon, who had been absentmindedly enjoying the sunlight, fell silent for a moment at Evan’s sudden question before rubbing his neck.
"…I’m not sure, honestly."
Of course, having traveled all the way to the East and back, he felt the need for some rest.
The reason he couldn't give a definitive answer, however, was because of the Sins.
He had heard of their emergence.
He had actually faced one.
And he still had to deal with three more in the future.
In other words, he couldn't just sit back and relax.
How did things end up like this…
Alon gazed at the distant mountains.
Come to think of it, he had just wanted to live a comfortable life as a nobleman, but somehow—
"Why the sudden sigh?"
"No, it’s just… I wanted to live a life just toasting bread, and I was wondering how I ended up here."
"?"
A question mark practically floated over Evan’s head at Alon’s muttering.
"?"
[?]
[?]
Penia and Blackie, who were also relaxing, and even Basiliora, who was lying on top of Blackie, all stared at Alon with puzzled expressions.
"…Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Alon, in turn, looked bewildered by their reaction.
"No, well…"
[It’s just so absurd…]
[Kyu…]
"I agree..."
An awkward silence settled over them for a moment.
Alon cleared his throat with a couple of dry coughs and spoke.
"Regardless, I believe I am steadily approaching my dream."
"You’re fighting people who can erase half a territory in a single blast. In what world does that lead to the peaceful life of a nobleman?"
"That’s because—"
Because I have to deal with the Sins so I can live comfortably without any more threats, Alon started to mutter to himself, but he swallowed the words back down.
The moment he spoke them aloud, he would have to explain far more than necessary.
Therefore.
"No, never mind."
"What? Don't just stop mid-sentence."
Alon didn't bother responding to Evan’s grumbling and instead recalled what Line had said previously.
A half-baked one, she said…
That was how Line had described Alon.
She said that divinity and formulas were like pieces of a puzzle; while one could use them individually, both were required to utilize them perfectly.
To be honest, I still haven't quite grasped it…
Alon had been using magic and divinity simultaneously until now.
However, while using them, he had never once thought the two were similar.
To begin with, magic and divinity were two powers that were completely distinct from each other.
For starters, magic used mana, while divinity used divine power.
Of course, when it comes to formulas, they might be somewhat similar in the sense that you’re pulling out established laws to use.
But since they essentially utilized different powers, Line’s words didn't quite click.
After all, he had only heard from her what he needed to prioritize; he hadn't heard exactly how divinity and magic were related or how they would complement each other.
Strictly speaking, it’s more like… I haven't been able to open it yet.
It was a somewhat ambiguous situation.
Nevertheless, there were two main reasons why Alon decided to follow Line’s advice.
One was because he knew that the library in Line’s mind was a place where no lies existed—only the absolute truth was recorded there.
The other was that Alon himself judged that integrating his divinity would be immensely helpful.
If I can integrate the divinities I have—even if I can only use two—it will be far more helpful than it is now.
Alon thought of the puzzle of divinity and mages that even Kailas and Sparrow claimed not to know, and he calmly organized his future tasks.
The first was to create the Divine Land that Line had mentioned.
Of course, there were other secondary tasks, such as gathering divine people or forming a knight order.
But first, the creation of the Divine Land had to come first.
And the second was to seek out the Observer, just as he had heard in the East.
Anyway, shall I start by dealing with the Divine Land?
The method for proclaiming a Divine Land wasn't difficult.
He could even do it right now.
The problem, however, was the space to create it.
I’ll have to discuss this part.
Since Alon held the rank of Marquis in the Asteria Kingdom, he needed the King’s permission to proclaim a Divine Land in the surrounding territories.
…Of course, he didn't think there would be any major repercussions even if he proceeded without permission.
Still, he felt it would be better to get official confirmation.
I suppose I’ll have to pay a visit to the Asteria Kingdom.
Alon finished organizing his schedule in his head.
"By the way, Marquis."
"What is it?"
"Now that I think about it, what is that?"
At Evan’s words, Alon looked down at his chest where Evan’s gaze was fixed.
There was a badge pinned there, embedded with a green gemstone.
"I received it from Line."
"Is that so?"
"She said it was a gift."
Before he left Phildegrin, Line had asked him to please keep it on.
As Alon looked at the green badge, remembering that moment.
"Hmm, I see."
Evan stared at the gem for a long time as if it were a curiosity, then shrugged his shoulders.
After a journey of several weeks, Alon finally returned to the Palatio territory for the first time in a long while.
"M-Marquis—!"
"Alexion?"
As soon as he entered the marquisate, he was met by Alexion, who came running out, his face pale and breathless.
"His Majesty, His Majesty the King, is waiting for you…!"
"…What?"
Still gasping for air, Alexion delivered the startling news.
* * *
"You are a hard man to track down, Marquis."
"I have no excuse."
As soon as he entered the office and had an audience with Siyan, Alon bowed his head deeply.
In truth, Alon should have headed straight to Teria to show his face immediately after stopping by Rosario.
"Were you busy with something?"
In front of Siyan, who had traveled here personally, Alon cleared his throat awkwardly.
"…Yes, a little—"
"Hmm—"
Siyan stared intently at Alon.
However.
"Well—never mind. It’s a bit much to keep asking a busy man who’s constantly on the move to come to where I am."
"Thank you for your understanding."
As Siyan leaned back comfortably in her chair as if it were no big deal, Alon bowed his head once more and asked.
"But, Your Majesty, what brings you all the way to the frontier…?"
He looked calm on the outside, but Alon was actually very curious.
Fundamentally, a King is someone who summons others, not someone who seeks them out.
Unless there was a truly important meeting or something similar, they would never move personally.
As Alon stared, Siyan shrugged as if it were trivial.
"It’s for a few reasons. As you know, the United Kingdoms have been quite noisy lately."
"…You mean the Abyss Bodies."
Siyan nodded.
"Yes, a conference was held because of that. I don't know how seriously you’re taking this matter, but the situation is quite grave."
Alon realized once again that the damage caused by the Abyss Bodies was significant.
If the kings of each nation were gathering for a conference, not just based on Siyan’s statement, it meant the damage was truly extraordinary.
In the end, even if I deal with the Sins, does the future where things gradually worsen remain unchanged?
Just as Alon was lost in such thoughts.
"So, when do you plan on telling me the story?"
Siyan broached the subject.
"The story of what happened in Rosario. I came all the way here to hear it from you. Are you planning on standing me up?"
Siyan gave a subtle, playful smile.
"I will tell you right now."
Alon cleared his throat and began to recount the events that had transpired in Rosario.
Siyan, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"I see."
"Yes."
"Actually, I had already heard about what happened in Rosario."
She suddenly said that.
"Ah, yes…."
In fact, Alon had also guessed that Siyan would have heard the news from Rosario.
So, when he nodded awkwardly without much of a reaction, Siyan’s smiling expression turned into a pout.
"You are surprisingly slow on the uptake."
"Pardon?"
"In times like this, shouldn't you ask why I bothered to hear the story again when I already knew it?"
A sudden grumble escaped her.
"…If I had asked that, what kind of answer would I have received?"
Though late, Alon asked, trying his best to play along.
"I would have said—it was an excuse to see you."
With a playful twirl of her finger, a mischievous remark came from Siyan.
Alon’s mind went blank for a moment.
…Normally, it was a comment he would have brushed off without much thought.
But having heard similar things from Line recently, Alon naturally began to think about the meaning behind those words.
Seeing Alon frozen like that, Siyan chuckled as if it were amusing.
"How is it?"
"…What do you mean?"
"This conversation right now."
At Siyan’s following question, Alon felt a moment of confusion.
He didn't know how to answer.
"That…"
"Speak freely."
In the end, Alon answered honestly based on what he felt.
"With all due respect, it felt… as if you were very much hoping I would take notice."
At that, Siyan didn't wipe the playful smile from her face.
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"If I were to tell you one thing, those were your own words."
She leaned forward and added.
"…Pardon? Mine?"
"Yes."
"No way—"
Alon’s mouth fell open.
"Are those words spoken by the 'me' in your memories?"
"Indeed. And with quite a sly, charming smile on your face, I might add."
Alon felt his face heating up for some reason.
Just what on earth did the 'me' in Siyan’s memories do? he wondered for a brief moment.
"?"
Alon noticed that Siyan, who had been laughing until just now, was lost in serious thought.
"…."
It was as if she had remembered something.
So.
"…Your Majesty?"
"…!"
When Alon called her cautiously, she quickly snapped out of it and cleared her throat.
"Ahem—anyway, the reason I came to see you was, as I said, for a few reasons. To attend the conference and to tell you about a new memory that surfaced."
She said that and soon stood up from her seat.
"Then, I shall take my leave. Honestly, I’d like to talk more and even see the interesting things happening in this territory, but I’m afraid I’ll be late for the conference if I linger any longer."
However, Alon briefly held Siyan back.
"Your Majesty, if it wouldn't be an imposition, could you spare just a little more of your time?"
He then spoke about the Divine Land.
* * *
To put it simply, Alon successfully received a grant of vacant land from Siyan to be used as the Divine Land.
It was a place about a day’s journey away from the Palatio Marquisate.
"Whew—"
Returning to his office, Alon let out a deep sigh.
Having experienced an unexpected drain on his mental energy due to the unforeseen schedule—especially an audience with the King—Alon sat slumped and took a rest.
A day passed like that.
"Penia left for the Magic Society?"
"Yes."
"I see."
Alon let out a light sigh and took a bite of the toast Evan had brought.
…Now I feel like I can breathe.
A peaceful atmosphere had finally arrived.
Of course, indulging in such leisure might be a luxury, but since he had been moving so busily for a while, Alon decided to relax for just one more day.
"…?"
Suddenly, feeling a bit more commotion than usual, he looked down.
"??"
He saw a bizarre sight.
It was none other than.
A crowd that filled the inner castle of the Palatio Marquisate—and even stretched far beyond to the outer castle.
No, strictly speaking, it wasn't just a crowd.
Elves and Lizardmen…?
A massive throng mixed with demi-humans filled the entire marquisate.
"Evan?"
"Yes, Marquis?"
"…What is all that?"
Evan, who checked below following Alon’s finger, was equally surprised, but then.
"Ah."
He soon recalled the conversation he had with Alexion yesterday and spoke.
"…It seems they are the people who came for the Paladin Order entrance exam. That’s today."
"The knight order…?"
"Yes, you mentioned it last time, Marquis. To put out a notice in advance."
"I did, but—"
Alon stared once again at the scene that looked ready to burst from the sheer number of people.
…I didn't want this many people to gather.
…He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.